Well, Friends, we are in the throws of the  Christmas season.  The lights, trees and ornaments are up. Moms everywhere (or at least in my house) are trying to convince their sons they still desire the item on last week’s Wish List, when Black Friday deals were to be had.  Changing his mind now is waaaaaay too late for Santa. (Sigh)

This time last year I was writing, but not posting anywhere.  I now have the luxury of going back and being in my own head eleven months ago on New Year’s Day.  It wasn’t pretty. I was fighting a cold and my body felt sludgy from too much of everything: sugar, white flour, wine, and Crisco.  Even the day was gloomy and rainy.   

This year I hope to be different.  I want to glide, not drag, into January.  I hope to walk into the exercise class I teach on January 2 without fear of busting out of my athletic wear.  However, I’m not committing myself to any unreasonable goals as I want to be successful.  I can’t promise myself to completely stay away from the fudge or wine.  Likewise, adding in more exercise will only tire me and strip my joy of the season.  I know enough about goals to make them SMART, so I want to create something firm to focus on during the month.

 Amy’s Different in December Goals:

No leftover dessert.

This may not seem like a big deal, but last year I remember justifying Nothing Bundt Cake for breakfast, having a sliver after lunch and indulging with dinner.  This pattern continued for four days and repeated with other desserts.  New rule:  Enjoy dessert, on the original occasion.  After that it’s trashed or consumed by the two young male garbage disposals living under my roof.

She Reads Truth Advent 2016 

This site and workbook brings the Word to life and prepares our hearts for the birth of Jesus.  I’ve been reading the book of Luke in the mornings and love it. If I may be completely honest, I get a little distracted.  Somewhere between Jesus healing a leper and miraculously feeding five thousand people on five loaves of bread and two fish, I start making a mental to-do list for the day.  Pathetic, I know. Instead, I am staying focused and intentional, keeping my heart in the right place for my Saviour’s birth.

Meditate three minutes in the morning.

I’ve never mindfully done this but I keep reading about the benefits and I’m intrigued.  Plus Robin Roberts recommends it in her new podcast and frankly, I’d thoughtfully consider just about anything that woman has to say.  Love her!  My plan is to take one word or simple thought from my daily Advent reading and meditate on this.

I’m the kind of person who adds things she’s already accomplished to her to-do list just so she can cross them off.  I’m resisting the urge to add “RunHouston 5K on January 1”, even though it’s already on my calendar.  As tempting as it is to add speedwork and eat vegetables to my Different in December list, that wouldn’t truly be different.  So I’ll keep it simple and hope my new year starts off more peaceful, mindful and less saturated with sugar than last year.

 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8

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